Tray for card-index systems



F. GEBSER z sheets-sheet 1 fnrenar/ /3 @955er Oct. l, 1929.

TRAY FOR CARD INDEX SYSTEMS Filed March 16, 1927 Oct'. l, 1929. P. GEBSER l730,069

TRAY FOR CARD INDEX SYSTEMS Filed March 16, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 Jn ren for;

Patented ocr. 1', 1929 UNITED STATES APAUII GEBSER, 0F MAGDEBURG, GERMANY TRAYiFOR CARD-INDEX SYSTEMS Application inled March 16, 1927, Serial No. 175,894, and in Germany November 5, 1926.

the card holders is performed with the assist' ance of springs which, when the parts of the tray are moved one into the other, are pressed together in such manner that the card holders are moved more closely together and require less space.l In this manner the tray is of shorter'length when the same is in position in the cabinet, ',whereas upon the withdrawal l thereof the edges ofthe overlapping cards vare uncovered to such extent as to clearly reveal the index marking on the edge. These index edges become narrower, i. e., thecards thrust to a greater extent one over the other, when the parts of the tray are pressed together.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the tray when the same is extended by being withdrawn from its cabinet. Fig. 2 being a plan view of the tray with the parts moved together.

Fig. 3 is a section along the line A-A of Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is a part sectional view on enlarged scale, corresponding with Fig. 3.

Fig. '5 is a plan view of the card holderwith one card.

' Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the withdrawn tray along the line G-G in Fig. 4. l

Fig. 7 is a front view of the card holder.

Fig. 8 is a section along the line .C--C' of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a section along the line D-D of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 lis a view of part of a card holder as seen from the side.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 and 2 are the two outer parts of the tray, which are slidably connected with middle portion 3 in any conforming suitable manner. The three parts 1, 2 and 3 may be collapsed in such manner that the index edges of the individual cards are reduced in width, so that the largest number of cards possible may be provided in one tray. As shown in Fig. 1, the fiat bars or rails 4 are secured at 5 to the bottom of the tray portion 2. Similar bars or rails 6 are secured at 7 to the bottom of the tray portion 1. When the tray is withdrawn the pairs of rails 4 and 6 lap by each other at the centre of the part 3, so that in this manner the card holders may be moved over the bottom of the three tray sections without jammingat the points where the tray sections -meet together. Vithin the tray are provided the card holds ers 8. The edges of the individual tray sections, as shown in Fig. 3, are bentv over inwardly in U-fashion, in such manner that the ends of the card holders 8 are situated below these edges. In this nfanner the card holders 8 are prevented frbm falling out of the tray. In order, however, to be readily able to remove the card holders from the tray, special rails 9, .10 and 11 are provided on one side of the tray within the U-shaped portion. The middle rail 10 situated Within the tray section 3 possesses turned edges, so that the rails 9 and 11 are able to pass through the channel thus formed. The three rails 9, 10

and11 are acted upon by leaf springs 12 which thrust against the side walls of the tray sections 1, 2 and 3. These springs tend to force the rails 9, 10 and 11 into the interior of the tray, as disclosed by Fig. 4. If the card holders 8 are to be removed the same are moved in the direction of the arrow P, whereby the springs 12 are pressed together with simultaneous displacement of the rails 9, 10

and 11. The card holder is thus released to such extent on the opposite side that the same may be lifted out of the tray.

The card holders are constructed in particular manner as shown in Fig. 5. The card holder consists of a flat bar 13 with the interior width of the tray. On the one face of the bar 13 the springs 15 are secured by means of rivets 14. At the same time the rivets are also utilized for securing clamping members 16, the

v manner from the holders.

free resilient arms of which are situated on the upper edge 17 of the bar 13. The card 18 is inserted into the clip 19.

This clip is of the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the front corners 20 being bent otf as shown to permit insertion ofthe card. The clip consists of a strip, of sheet-metal which is bent in the sha e of a U and a Wire 21 is securely held within the base of the U. The bearings formed by the clamping members 16 conform with the thickness of the wire 21, the ends of thelatter projecting beyond the ends ot' the clip 19 being passed through the spaces formed between the arms ot the clamping members 16. The arms of the clamping members 16 are made of resilient material in order that, as shown in Fig. 8 the wire, after the same has been fitted in. on which operation the arms are moved slightly apart, is rmlyrheld by the arms again moving together. In this manner it 4is possible to employ any type of card and it necessary7 to remove the card in laV simple The springs 15 have portions at their ends bent towards the adjacent face of the bar 13, in order to limit 'the compression of the springs, and also at the same time to ensure that the card holder rests as a whole snugly on bases 4 and 6.

It has already been proposed to secure the tray to the cabinet by the use of special intermediate members, the arrangement being such that in withdrawn condition, i. e., when entries on the card are to .be made, the upper edge of the tray suspended from the cabinet is situated at a certain distance from the front wall of the cabinet. This arrangement has the object of providing the necessary room to enable entries to be readily made on the last card. According to the invention, this object is attained by arranging a filling member, which is variable in its length, in the part of the tray connected with the cabinet.

The operation is as follows:

Fig. 1 shows the tray in the position when the same is withdrawn and is suspended from the cabinet. The three tray sections l, 2 and 3 are drawn apart. in such manner that the -index markings on the lower edges of the cards are fully visible. The final card may be turned over towards the top, and in this position suiicient space remains relative to the' front wall of the cabinet so that the desired entries can be readily made. If the tray 1` E. and 3 is pushed intothe cabinet, the free end ofthe section 1 strikes finally against the rear wall of the cabinet and the sections f2 and 3 continue to move, i. e., into the section 1, whereby` the springs 15 are pressed together, and the distance between the individual card holders 13 is diminished. When in this manner the'card holders have been moved together to such extent that the cards cover each other leaving only very narrow exposed and all the springs 15 2. A tray for ca'rd index systems, consist-v ing of three parts which are relatively displaceable in the longitudinal direction. rails disposed longitudinally over the bot-toml of the two end parts, the said rails lapping by each other over the middle part of thecsaid tray and being arranged in staggered relation to each other, a plurality of card holders in the said tray resting on said rails. and resilientl means separating said card holders.

In testimony whereof I have ah'ixed my signature. i PAUL GEBSER- 

